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Hunters say they’re boycotting Colo. over gun laws

COLORADO SPRINGS — Hunters across the country say they are boycotting Colorado because of recent legislation meant to curtail gun violence.

Colorado last week became the first Western state to ratchet back gun rights in response to mass shootings at a suburban Denver movie theater and an elementary school in Connecticut.

Opponents warned the gun controls would hurt hunters, especially an expansion of background-check requirements to apply to personal and online gun sales. Lawmakers changed the bill to accommodate hunters by exempting people using borrowed guns for less than 72 hours from the checks.

Colorado tourism chief Al White said Wednesday that there’s no immediate data showing any impact from a boycott. He says Colorado has the region’s friendliest licensure process for out-of-state hunters and a waiting list for big-game licenses.